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| a modern twist on a kantha quilt... |
i really liked the fun colors of the fabrics i picked out. she loves orange, so that needed to be a prominent color in the quilt... i used fabrics from the 'oh, deer' collection by momo. man, do i love this fabric collection! (i have 2 other fabrics from this collection sitting on my table now, waiting to be made into the next kantha style quilt!)
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| the bright colors just make me smile! |
it did take me longer than i had planned. (doesn't everything?? always??) she got a half done quilt for christmas. i did however complete it in january and now she has it to snuggle with at her home.
as i was glancing at a book in the fabric shop where i am now working part-time (sew to speak), i discovered that this type of quilt is called a kantha quilt and was orginally made in bangladesh and used light colored solid fabric with single or multiple colored thread and/or on used saris. it was exciting to learn more about this technique and the different designs where made through the hand-stitched quilting. if you are interested, you can find many online sold through fair trade practices.
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| the front of anna's kantha style quilt. |
my quilt is a modern version of the kantha style quilt which is beginning to be found more in 'the west'. i truly adore the look and feel of this new (to me) technique! find lots more info on kantha quilts here and here.
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| the back of anna's kantha style quilt |
have you ever done this type of quilting? did you find it worth the time invested? have you bought an original one from bangledesh or india? please, leave a comment below about your thoughts about these quilts.
have a great week with whatever projects you might be working on!
happy monday!
~ julie
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| willow wondering when we will go out and play... |
It is perfect!
ReplyDeletethanks, mary :)
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ReplyDeletehii am from India, and i was just randomly searching for some quilting techniques, when i just saw ur blog and was surprised to learn that "kantha" is so well known!...I am a Bengali and have a 8 month old baby. My grandma and my mum have made very pretty Kanthas for my daughter using their old cotton saris. In fact the Kantha stitch is used for embroidery on beautiful silk saris these days and make a great fashion statement!
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ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous! I absolutely love the great colors and the fact that you can show off as much of your favorite fabrics as possible! Did you bind them like an ordinary quilt? I notice that kantha quilts tend to have no binding and seem to have sewn closures, but I can't quite get a good look at it with any of the photos online.
ReplyDeleteNoel, I did bind this quilt as well as use batting. for the binding I used 2" strips sewn together at the short ends equalling the length around the quilt. then, I folded it in half lengthwise and pinned it around the quilt so that half was on the front & half was on the back. I then sewed it onto the quilt approximately 1/3" from the sides. after sewing all around once, I then went back and sewed another line just outside the previous row of stitches. I then trimmed the raw edge of the binding on each side so that it is about 1/4" from the outside row of stitches. after washing, I then went over it again and trimmed away the loose threads. I love this style of binding because it gives a worn soft look to the quilt.
DeleteI have the same question as Noel R. and also did you keep it all pinned together or did you use a frame?
ReplyDeleteAlso did you use any technique to keep your lines straight?
ReplyDeletesarah beth, I made a quilt sandwich just like on my regular quilts using the top, batting, and the back. I pin mine together. I did use a hoop for the quilting. I found that I can do multiple rows at a time (I have done up to 10!) using pearl cotton. I use valdini brand. I try to pick patterns that I can follow across to make the straight lines. if the patterns are not straight or easy to follow, you can use masking tape to create a straight edge to follow for your first row, then just use that line as a guide. I find that the imperfection of all the lines not being exact is much more fun. :). does that help?
DeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeletethis blanket inspires me!
Can you tell me, where are the nodes - are they visible or hidden somehow?
Thank you! Reka
I pull my beginning & end knots through the top fabric so they can't be seen. So glad inspired you! I love making these... Am actually hurriedly trying to finish one for my son for Christmas!
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ReplyDeleteHi, this quilt is stunning! I love the orange!!!
ReplyDeleteI just love the look. I have a couple questions: What kind of needle and thread did you use?
Hi, this quilt is stunning! I love the orange!!!
ReplyDeleteI just love the look. I have a couple questions: What kind of needle and thread did you use?
Thanks for your sweet comments!! I use a quilting needle (or sometimes just whatever longish needle that I have around) with size 8 pearl cotton. I like Valdani the best. It is like embroidery thread, but instead of individual threads, they are twisted together.
DeleteHow much thread did you buy for the whole blanket? Can't seem to find anyone on the internet who has talked about how much thread they've used! Did you buy it in bulk if it was a lot?
ReplyDeleteKara Jane-
ReplyDeleteI used three colors of #8 balsamic pearl cotton. I usually only use about 2 'balls' of it on my quilts, but it really depends on how much stitching you do. So on this one, since I used three colors, I think I just bought one 'ball' of each. I like to have extra 'just in case' so many times I order two of each color, but on this throw size quilt (fits on just the top of a twin size bed, no draping over), 3 should be ok.
Hope this helps!
Valuable information! Looking forward to seeing your notes posted. Indian Kantha Quilts
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